Touch sensor including rounded corner and sensing electrode including rounded edge corresponding to rounded corner, and display device including the same

ABSTRACT

A touch sensor includes a base, first sensing electrode columns (FSECs), and second sensing electrode columns (SSECs). The base includes a sensing region (SR) including a rounded corner (RC), and a non-SR outside the SR. The FSECs extend in a direction on the base, each FSEC among the FSECs including first sensing electrodes (FSEs), each FSE among the FSEs including sub-electrodes. The SSECs are alternately disposed with the FSECs on the base, each SSEC among the SSECs including second sensing electrodes (SSEs). Sub-electrodes of one of adjacent FSEs among the FSEs are electrically connected to respective sub-electrodes of another of the adjacent FSEs. A sub-electrode closest to the RC among the sub-electrodes includes a rounded edge (RE) corresponding to the RC. A SSE closest to the RC among the SSEs includes a RE corresponding to the RC, and a protrusion part protruding toward the sub-electrode including the RE.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2017-0081992, filed Jun. 28, 2017, which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND Field

The disclosure generally relates to a touch sensor and a display deviceincluding the same.

Discussion

Display devices may include an information input function along with animage display function. The information input function may be generallyimplemented by a touch sensor for receiving user input. The touch sensormay be attached to one surface of a display panel that displays an imageor may be integrally formed with the display panel. A user may inputinformation by pressing, touching, or otherwise interacting with thetouch sensor while viewing an image displayed on the display panel.

The above information disclosed in this section is only forunderstanding the background of the inventive concepts, and, therefore,may contain information that does not form prior art.

SUMMARY

Some exemplary embodiments are capable of providing a touch sensorhaving a decreased difference in touch sensitivity.

Some exemplary embodiments are capable of providing a display deviceincluding the touch sensor.

Additional aspects will be set forth in the detailed description whichfollows, and, in part, will be apparent from the disclosure, or may belearned by practice of the inventive concepts.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a touch sensor includesa base, first sensing electrode columns, and second sensing electrodecolumns. The base includes a sensing region including a rounded corner,and a non-sensing region outside the sensing region. The first sensingelectrode columns extend in a first direction on the base, each firstsensing electrode column among the first sensing electrode columnsincluding first sensing electrodes, each first sensing electrode amongthe first sensing electrodes including sub-electrodes. The secondsensing electrode columns are alternately disposed with the firstsensing electrode columns on the base, each second sensing electrodecolumn among the second sensing electrode columns including secondsensing electrodes. Sub-electrodes of one of adjacent first sensingelectrodes among the first sensing electrodes are electrically connectedto respective sub-electrodes of another of the adjacent first sensingelectrodes. A sub-electrode closest to the rounded corner among thesub-electrodes includes a rounded edge corresponding to the roundedcorner. A second sensing electrode closest to the rounded corner amongthe second sensing electrodes includes a rounded edge corresponding tothe rounded corner, and a protrusion part protruding toward thesub-electrode including the rounded edge.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a touch sensor includesa base, first sensing electrode columns, second sensing electrodecolumns, and a third sensing electrode. The base includes a sensingregion including a rounded corner, and a non-sensing region outside thesensing region. The first sensing electrode columns extend in a firstdirection on the base, each first sensing electrode column among thefirst sensing electrode columns including first sensing electrodes, eachfirst sensing electrode among the first sensing electrodes includingsub-electrodes. The second sensing electrode columns are alternatelydisposed with the first sensing electrode columns on the base, eachsecond sensing electrode column among the second sensing electrodecolumns including second sensing electrodes. The third sensing electrodeis closest to the rounded corner among the first sensing electrodes andthe second sensing electrodes. Sub-electrodes of one of adjacent firstsensing electrodes among the first sensing electrodes are electricallyconnected to respective sub-electrodes of another of the adjacent firstsensing electrodes.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a display deviceincludes a display panel and a touch sensor. The display panel isconfigured to display an image. The touch sensor is on the displaypanel. The touch sensor includes a sensing region including a roundedcorner, and a non-sensing region outside the sensing region. The touchsensor further includes first sensing electrode columns, and secondsensing electrode columns. The first sensing electrode columns extend ina first direction, each first sensing electrode column among the firstsensing electrode columns including first sensing electrodes, each firstsensing electrode among the first sensing electrodes includingsub-electrodes. The second sensing electrode columns are alternatelydisposed with the first sensing electrode columns, each second sensingelectrode column among the second sensing electrode columns includingsecond sensing electrodes. Sub-electrodes of one of adjacent firstsensing electrodes among the first sensing electrodes are electricallyconnected to respective sub-electrodes of another of the adjacent firstsensing electrodes. A sub-electrode closest to the rounded corner amongthe sub-electrodes includes a rounded edge corresponding to the roundedcorner. A second sensing electrode closest to the rounded corner amongthe second sensing electrodes includes a rounded edge corresponding tothe rounded corner, and a protrusion part protruding toward thesub-electrode including the rounded edge.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a display deviceincludes a display panel and a touch sensor. The display panel isconfigured to display an image. The touch sensor includes a sensingregion including a rounded corner, and a non-sensing region outside thesensing region. The touch sensor further includes first sensingelectrode columns, second sensing electrode columns, and a third sensingelectrode. The first sensing electrode columns extend in a firstdirection, each first sensing electrode column among the first sensingelectrode columns including first sensing electrodes, each first sensingelectrode among the first sensing electrodes including sub-electrodes.The second sensing electrode columns are alternately disposed with thefirst sensing electrode columns, each second sensing electrode columnamong the second sensing electrode columns including second sensingelectrodes. The third sensing electrode is closest to the rounded corneramong the first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrodes.Sub-electrodes of one of adjacent first sensing electrodes among thefirst sensing electrodes are electrically connected to respectivesub-electrodes of another of the adjacent first sensing electrodes.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concepts, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concepts, and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display deviceincluding a touch sensor according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the display device shown in FIG. 1according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of region EA1 shown in FIG. 2 according tosome exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the touch sensor shown in FIG. 1according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of sensing electrodesof the touch sensor shown in FIG. 1 according to some exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of region EA2 of FIG. 5 according to someexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating first sensing electrodes of a firstsensing electrode column and first sensing lines shown in FIG. 5according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating second sensing electrodes of a secondsensing electrode column and second sensing lines shown in FIG. 5according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a connection relationship of firstsensing electrodes, second sensing electrodes, first sensing lines,second sensing lines, and a sensing line connection part according tosome exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a connection relationship ofthe sensing lines and the sensing line connection part of FIG. 9according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of region EA3 of FIG. 6 according to someexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a first sensing electrode and asecond sensing electrode that are provided at a rounded corner of thetouch sensor shown in FIG. 5 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of region EA4 of FIG. 12 according to someexemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are plan views illustrating examples of a first sensingelectrode and a second sensing electrode that are provided at a roundedcorner of a touch sensor according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 16, 17, 18, and 19 are plan views illustrating examples of a firstsensing electrode and a second sensing electrode that are provided at arounded corner of a touch sensor according to various exemplaryembodiments.

FIGS. 20, 21, 22, and 23 are plan views illustrating a first sensingelectrode and a second sensing electrode that are provided at a roundedcorner of a touch sensor according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are plan views illustrating a first sensing electrodeand a second sensing electrode that are provided at a rounded corner ofa touch sensor according to some exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various exemplary embodiments. It is apparent, however,that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without thesespecific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various exemplaryembodiments. Further, various exemplary embodiments may be different,but do not have to be exclusive. For example, specific shapes,configurations, and characteristics of an exemplary embodiment may beimplemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from thespirit and the scope of the disclosure.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments are tobe understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of someexemplary embodiments. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, thefeatures, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, aspects,etc. (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as“elements”), of the various illustrations may be otherwise combined,separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from thespirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings isgenerally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. Assuch, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shadingconveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particularmaterials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalitiesbetween illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic,attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further,in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elementsmay be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. When anexemplary embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific processorder may be performed differently from the described order. Forexample, two consecutively described processes may be performedsubstantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to thedescribed order. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or“coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, connected to, orcoupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present.When, however, an element is referred to as being “directly on,”“directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, thereare no intervening elements present. To this end, the term “connected”may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection. Further, theD1-axis, the D2-axis, and the D3-axis are not limited to three axes of arectangular coordinate system, and may be interpreted in a broadersense. For example, the D1-axis, the D2-axis, and the D3-axis may beperpendicular to one another, or may represent different directions thatare not perpendicular to one another. For the purposes of thisdisclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Yonly, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as,for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, these elements should not be limited by theseterms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from anotherelement. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a secondelement without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,”“above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), andthe like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, todescribe one element's relationship to another element(s) as illustratedin the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/ormanufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. Forexample, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would thenbe oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover,the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms“substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, are used as terms ofapproximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such, are utilized toaccount for inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or providedvalues that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference tosectional and/or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrationsof idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. Assuch, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions,but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance,manufacturing. In this manner, regions illustrated in the drawings areschematic in nature and shapes of these regions may not illustrate theactual shapes of regions of a device, and, as such, are not intended tobe limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display deviceincluding a touch sensor according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 2is a sectional view of the display device shown in FIG. 1 according tosome exemplary embodiments. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of region EA1shown in FIG. 2 according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 4 is aplan view illustrating the touch sensor shown in FIG. 1 according tosome exemplary embodiments. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating anarrangement of sensing electrodes of the touch sensor shown in FIG. 1according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the display device may include a displaypanel 100 and a touch sensor 200.

The display panel 100 may display an image, and, as such, may be anysuitable form of display panel. For example, self-luminescent displaypanels, such as an organic light emitting display panel (OLED panel),may be used as the display panel 100. In addition, non-luminescentdisplay panels, such as a liquid crystal display panel (LCD panel), anelectrophoretic display panel (EPD panel), and/or an electro-wettingdisplay panel (EWD panel), may be used as the display panel 100. When anon-luminescent display panel is used as the display panel 100, thedisplay device may include a backlight unit (not shown) that supplieslight to the display panel 100. For convenience, a case where an OLEDpanel is used as the display panel 100 is described.

The display panel 100 may have various planar shapes. For example, thedisplay panel 100 may have a closed polygonal shape including at leastone linear side. In addition, the display panel 100 may have shapes,such as a circle and an ellipse, which include curved (or arcuate)sides. In addition, the display panel 100 may have shapes, such as asemicircle and a semi-ellipse, which include linear and curved sides.

In some embodiments, when the display panel 100 has linear sides, atleast some of corners of a polygonal shape may be formed in a curve. Forexample, when the display panel 100 has a rectangular shape, corners ofthe rectangular shape may have a rounded (or arcuate) shape. That is,the display panel 100 may have rounded corners. For instance, a portionat which adjacent linear sides meet each other may be replaced with acurve having a determined curvature. The corner of the rectangular shapemay be formed with a curved side having both adjacent ends respectivelyconnected to two adjacent linear sides, the curved side having adetermined curvature. The curvature may be differently set depending onpositions. For example, the curvature may be changed depending on aposition at which the curve is started, a length of the curve, etc. Itis also contemplated that compound or polynomial curves may be utilizedin association with exemplary embodiments.

The display panel 100 may include a display region and a non-displayregion provided at a periphery (or outside) of the display region. Thedisplay region may have a shape corresponding to that of the displaypanel 100. For example, the display region may have a closed polygonalshape including linear sides. In addition, the display region may haveshapes, such as a circle and an ellipse, which include curved sides. Inaddition, the display region may have shapes, such as a semicircle and asemi-ellipse, which include linear and curved sides.

In some embodiments, when the display panel 100 has linear sides, atleast some of corners of a polygonal shape may be formed in a curve.That is, the display region may have rounded corners. In more detail,when the display region has a rectangular shape, a portion at whichadjacent linear sides meet each other may be replaced with a curvehaving a determined curvature. That is, the corner of the rectangularshape may be formed with a curved side having both adjacent endsrespectively connected to two adjacent linear sides, the curved sidehaving a determined curvature. The curvature may be differently setdepending on positions. For example, the curvature may be changeddepending on a position at which the curve is started, a length of thecurve, etc. It is also contemplated that compound or polynomial curvesmay be utilized in association with exemplary embodiments.

Although not illustrated, a plurality of pixels may be provided in thedisplay region. Each pixel may be any one of a red pixel, a green pixel,a blue pixel, and a white pixel, but embodiments are not limitedthereto. For example, the pixel may be any one of a magenta pixel, acyan pixel, a yellow pixel, etc.

In addition, the display panel 100 may include a driving unit (notshown) that is provided at one side of a substrate SUB and drives thepixels. The driving unit may be a chip-on-glass (COG) type of drivingelement; however, embodiments are not limited thereto.

Each of the pixels may include at least one thin film transistor TFTprovided on the substrate SUB and a display element OLED connected tothe thin film transistor TFT. The display element OLED may be an organiclight emitting element.

The substrate SUB may include a transparent insulating material thatenables light to be transmitted therethrough. The substrate SUB may be arigid substrate and/or a flexible substrate. The rigid substrate (orsubstrate portion) may include a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, aglass ceramic substrate, and a crystalline glass substrate. The flexiblesubstrate (or substrate portion) may include a film substrate and aplastic substrate that include a polymer organic material. For example,the flexible substrate may include at least one of polyethersulfone(PES), polyacrylate (PA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate(PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS),polyarylate (PAR), polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), triacetatecellulose (TAC), and cellulose acetate propionate (CAP). Also, theflexible substrate may include fiber glass reinforced plastic (FRP). Thematerial applied as the substrate SUB may have resistance (e.g., heatresistance) against high processing temperature in a manufacturingprocess of the display device.

A buffer layer BFL may be provided between the substrate SUB and thethin film transistor TFT. The buffer layer BFL may include an inorganicinsulating material. For example, the buffer layer BFL may include atleast one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride.Also, the buffer layer BFL may have a single or multi-layered structure.For example, the buffer layer BFL may have a single-layered structureincluding one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride.The buffer layer BFL may include a silicon oxide layer and a siliconnitride layer disposed on the silicon oxide layer. The buffer layer BFLmay include three or more insulating layers that are sequentiallystacked. The buffer layer BFL may prevent impurities from being diffusedinto the thin film transistor TFT from the substrate SUB. Also, thebuffer layer BFL may planarize a surface of the substrate SUB.

The thin film transistor TFT may be connected to a gate line (not shown)and a data line (not illustrated). The thin film transistor TFT mayinclude a semiconductor (or active) layer SCL, a gate electrode GE, asource electrode SE, and a drain electrode DE.

The semiconductor layer SCL may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL. Thesemiconductor layer SCL may include at least one of amorphous silicon,polycrystalline silicon, oxide semiconductor, and organic semiconductor.In the semiconductor layer SCL, regions connected to the sourceelectrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be source and drain regionsinto which impurities are doped or injected. A region between the sourceregion and the drain region may be a channel region. Although not shown,when the semiconductor layer SCL includes an oxide semiconductor, alight blocking layer for blocking light incident into the semiconductorlayer SCL may be disposed on the top or bottom of the semiconductorlayer SCL.

A gate insulating layer GI may be disposed on the semiconductor layerSCL. The gate insulating layer GI may cover the semiconductor layer SCL,and may insulate the semiconductor layer SCL and the gate electrode GEfrom each other. The gate insulating layer GI may include at least oneof an organic insulating material and an inorganic insulating material.For example, the gate insulating layer GI may include at least one ofsilicon oxide and silicon nitride.

The gate electrode GE may be disposed on the gate insulating layer GI.The gate electrode GE may be connected to the gate line. The gateelectrode GE may include a low-resistance conductive material, andoverlap with the semiconductor layer SCL.

An interlayer insulating layer ILD may be disposed over the gateelectrode GE. The interlayer insulating layer ILD may include at leastone of an organic insulating material and an inorganic insulatingmaterial. For example, the interlayer insulating layer ILD may includeat least one of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. The interlayerinsulating layer ILD may insulate the source electrode SE and the drainelectrode DE from the gate electrode GE.

Contact holes passing through the gate insulating layer GI and theinterlayer insulating layer ILD may expose the source region and thedrain region of the semiconductor layer therethrough.

The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be disposed onthe interlayer insulating layer ILD to be spaced apart from each other.The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may include alow-resistance conductive material. One end of the source electrode SEmay be connected to the data line. The other end of the source electrodeSE may be connected to the source region of the semiconductor layer SCLthrough one of the contact holes. One end of the drain electrode DE maybe connected to the drain region through the other of the contact holes.The other end of the drain electrode DE may be connected to the displayelement OLED.

Although a case where the thin film transistor TFT is a thin filmtransistor having a top gate structure has been described andillustrated as an example, embodiments are not limited thereto. Forexample, the thin film transistor TFT may be a thin film transistorhaving a bottom gate structure, a dual gate structure, etc.

A protective layer PSV may be provided over the thin film transistorTFT. The protective layer PSV may cover the thin film transistor TFT. Aportion of the protective layer PSV may be removed to expose one of thesource electrode SE and the drain electrode DE, e.g., the drainelectrode DE, therethrough. The protective layer PSV may include atleast one layer. For example, the protective layer PSV may include aninorganic protective layer and an organic protective layer disposed onthe inorganic protective layer. The inorganic protective layer mayinclude at least one of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. The organicprotective layer may include at least one of acryl, polyimide (PI),polyamide (PA), and benzocyclobutene (BCB). Also, the organic protectivelayer may be a planarization layer that is transparent and flexible toreduce and planarize winding (or undulations) of a lower structure.

The display element OLED may be provided on the protective layer PSV.The display element OLED may include a first electrode AE connected tothe thin film transistor TFT, an emitting layer EML disposed on thefirst electrode AE, and a second electrode CE disposed on the emittinglayer EML. One of the first electrode AE and the second electrode CE maybe an anode electrode, and the other of the first electrode AE and thesecond electrode CE may be a cathode electrode. For example, the firstelectrode AE may be an anode electrode, and the second electrode CE maybe a cathode electrode.

In addition, at least one of the first electrode AE and the secondelectrode CE may be a transmissive electrode. For example, when thedisplay element OLED is a bottom emission type organic light emittingelement, the first electrode AE may be a transmissive electrode, and thesecond electrode CE may be a reflective electrode. When the displayelement OLED is a top emission type organic light emitting element, thefirst electrode AE may be a reflective electrode, and the secondelectrode CE may be a transmissive electrode. When the display elementOLED is a double-sided emission type organic light emitting element,both of the first electrode AE and the second electrode CE may betransmissive electrodes. For convenience, a case where the displayelement OLED is a top emission type organic light emitting element andthe first electrode AE is an anode electrode is described andillustrated as an example.

In each pixel, the first electrode AE may be disposed on the protectivelayer PSV. The first electrode AE may include a reflective layer (notshown) configured to reflect light and a transparent conductive layer(not shown) disposed on the top or bottom of the reflective layer. Atleast one of the reflective layer and the transparent conductive layermay be connected to the drain electrode DE.

The reflective layer may include a material that reflects incidentlight. For example, the reflective layer may include at least one ofaluminum (Al), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), platinum(Pt), nickel (Ni), and any alloy thereof.

The transparent conductive layer may include transparent conductiveoxide. For example, the transparent conductive layer may include atleast one transparent conductive oxide, such as at least one of indiumtin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO),gallium doped zinc oxide (GZO), zinc tin oxide (ZTO), gallium tin oxide(GTO), and fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO).

A pixel defining layer PDL may be disposed over the first electrode AE.The pixel defining layer PDL is provided between pixel regions, and mayexpose the first electrode AE therethrough. The pixel defining layer PDLmay overlap with an edge portion of the first electrode AE. In thismanner, the pixel defining layer PDL may allow a majority of a surfaceof the first electrode AE to be exposed therethrough. The pixel defininglayer PDL may include an organic insulating material. For example, thepixel defining layer PDL may include at least one of polystyrene,polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyamide (PA),polyimide (PI), polyarylether (PAE), heterocyclic polymer, parylene,epoxy, benzocyclobutene (BCB), siloxane based resin, and silane basedresin.

The emitting layer EML may be disposed on the exposed surface of thefirst electrode AE. The emitting layer EML may have a multi-layered thinfilm structure including at least a light generation layer (LGL). Forexample, the emitting layer EML may include a hole injection layer (HIL)for injecting holes and a hole transport layer (HTL) having a holetransporting property such that the HTL increases opportunity for holesand electrons to be re-combined by suppressing movement of electronsthat fail to be combined in the LGL, the LGL for emitting light throughthe re-combination of the injected electrons and holes. The emittinglayer EML layer additionally include a hole blocking layer (HBL) forsuppressing the movement of holes that fail to be combined in the LGL,an electron transport layer (ETL) transporting electrons to the LGL, andan electron transport layer (EIL) for injecting electrons. The HIL, theHTL, the HBL, the ETL, and the EIL may be common layers connected inadjacent light emitting regions.

The color of light generated from the LGL may be one of red, green,blue, and white, but embodiments are not limited thereto. For example,the color of light generated from the LGL of the emitting layer EML mayalso be at least one of magenta, cyan, yellow, etc.

The second electrode CE may be disposed on the emitting layer EML. Thesecond electrode CE may be a semi-transmissive reflective layer. Forexample, the second electrode CE may be a thin metal layer having athickness through which light can be transmitted. The second electrodeCE may allow a portion of the light emitted from the LGL to betransmitted therethrough, and reflect the rest of the light emitted fromthe LGL. The second electrode CE may include a material having a lowwork function as compared with the transparent conductive layer, e.g.,as compared with the first electrode AE. For example, the secondelectrode CE may be include at least one of molybdenum (Mo), tungsten(W), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt),palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir),chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), and any alloy thereof.

A portion of the light emitted from the emitting layer EML may not betransmitted through the second electrode CE, and the light reflectedfrom the second electrode CE may be again reflected from the reflectivelayer of the first electrode AE. That is, the light emitted from theemitting layer EML may resonate between the reflective layer and thesecond electrode CE. The light extraction efficiency of the displayelement OLED can be improved by the resonance of the light.

A distance between the reflective layer and the second electrode CE maybe changed depending on a color of light emitted from the LGL. That is,the distance between the reflective layer and the second electrode CEmay be adjusted to correspond to a resonance distance, depending on thecolor of the light emitted from the LGL.

An encapsulation layer ECL may be provided over the second electrode CE.The encapsulation layer ECL covers the display element OLED and mayprevent oxygen and moisture from penetrating into the display elementOLED. The encapsulation layer ECL may include a plurality of insulatinglayers. For example, the encapsulation layer ECL may include a pluralityof inorganic layers (not shown) and a plurality of organic layers (notshown). For example, the encapsulation layer ECL may include a firstinorganic layer on the second electrode CE, an organic layer on thefirst inorganic layer, and a second inorganic layer on the organiclayer. Here, the inorganic layer may include at least one of siliconoxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, aluminum oxide, titaniumoxide, zirconium oxide, and tin oxide. The organic layer may include atleast one of acryl, polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA), and benzocyclobutene(BCB).

Although a case where the encapsulation layer ECL is applied so as toisolate the display element OLED from an external environment isdescribed and illustrated as an example, embodiments are not limitedthereto. To isolate the display element OLED from the externalenvironment, an encapsulation substrate may be applied instead of (or inaddition to) the encapsulation layer ECL. The encapsulation substratemay be joined with the substrate SUB through a sealant. When the displayelement OLED is isolated from the external environment using theencapsulation substrate, the encapsulation layer ECL may be omitted.

The touch sensor 200 may have a shape corresponding to that of thedisplay panel 100. For example, the touch sensor 200 may have a closedpolygonal shape including linear sides. In addition, the touch sensor200 may have shapes, such as a circle and an ellipse, which includecurved sides. In addition, the touch sensor 200 may have shapes, such asa semicircle and a semi-ellipse, which include linear and curved sides.

In some embodiments, when the touch sensor 200 has linear sides, atleast some of corners of a polygonal shape may be formed in a curve.That is, the touch sensor 200 may have rounded (or arcuate) corners. Inmore detail, when the touch sensor 200 has a rectangular shape, aportion at which adjacent linear sides meet each other may be replacedwith a curve having a determined curvature. That is, a vertex portion ofthe rectangular shape may be formed with a curved side having bothadjacent ends respectively connected to two adjacent linear sides, thecurved side having a determined curvature. The curvature may bedifferently set depending on positions. For example, the curvature maybe changed depending on a position at which the curve is started, alength of the curve, etc. It is also contemplated that compound orpolynomial curves may be utilized in association with exemplaryembodiments.

The touch sensor 200 may include a sensing region SA corresponding tothe display region and a non-sensing region NSA outside the sensingregion SA, e.g., the non-sensing region NSA may be provided at theperiphery of the sensing region SA.

The sensing region SA may have a shape corresponding to that of thetouch sensor 200. For example, the sensing region SA may have a closedpolygonal shape including linear sides. In addition, the sensing regionSA may have shapes, such as a circle and an ellipse, which includecurved sides. In addition, the sensing region SA may have shapes, suchas a semicircle and a semi-ellipse, which include linear and curvedsides.

In some embodiments, when the sensing region SA has linear sides, atleast some of corners of a polygonal shape may be formed in a curve.That is, the sensing region SA may have rounded corners. For instance,when the sensing region SA has a rectangular shape, a portion at whichadjacent linear sides meet each other may be replaced with a curvehaving a determined curvature. That is, a vertex portion of therectangular shape may be formed with a curved side having both adjacentends respectively connected to two adjacent linear sides, the curvedside having a determined curvature. The curvature may be differently setdepending on positions. For example, the curvature may be changeddepending on a position at which the curve is started, a length of thecurve, etc.

The touch sensor 200 may be provided on at least one of both surfaces ofthe display panel 100. For example, the touch sensor 200 may be providedon the encapsulation layer ECL. That is, the encapsulation layer ECL ofthe display panel 100 may be a base that supports the touch sensor 200.The touch sensor 200 may include a first insulating layer 210 providedon the encapsulation layer ECL, an electrode layer 220 on the firstinsulating layer 210, and a cover layer 230 on the electrode layer 220.

The first insulating layer 210 may include at least one of an organicinsulating material and an inorganic insulating material. For example,the first insulating layer 210 may include at least one of silicon oxideand silicon nitride.

The electrode layer 220 may include a plurality of first sensingelectrode columns TSC1 that are provided in the sensing region SA andinclude a plurality of first sensing electrodes TSE1, a plurality ofsecond sensing electrode columns TSC2 that are provided in the sensingregion SA, are alternately disposed with the first sensing electrodecolumns TSC1, and include a plurality of second sensing electrodes TSE2.The electrode layer 220 may also include a plurality of first sensinglines SL1 that are connected to the first sensing electrodes TSE1 andare provided in the non-sensing region NSA, a plurality of secondsensing lines SL2 that are connected to the second sensing electrodesTES2 and are provided in the non-sensing region NSA, and a pad unit (orarea) PDA that electrically connects the first sensing electrodes TSE1and the second sensing electrodes TSE2 to an external driving circuit(not shown) through the first sensing lines SL1 and the second sensinglines SL2, and is provided in the non-sensing region NSA. One of thefirst sensing electrodes TSE1 and the second sensing electrodes TSE2,e.g., the first sensing electrodes TSE1, may be touch driving electrodesthat receive touch driving signals, and the other of the first sensingelectrodes TSE1 and the second sensing electrodes TSE2, e.g., the secondsensing electrodes TSE2, may be touch receiving electrodes that outputtouch sensing signals. As such, the electrode layer 220 may detect atouch of a user based on a change in capacitance of a first capacitorformed between the first sensing electrodes TSE1 and the second sensingelectrodes TSE2.

Both of the first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and the second sensingelectrode columns TSC2 may extend in one direction. In addition, thefirst sensing electrodes TSE1 may be arranged in the direction in whichthe first sensing electrode columns TSC1 extend, and the second sensingelectrodes TSE2 may be arranged in the direction in which the secondsensing electrode columns TSC2 extend. The first sensing electrodes TSE1and the second sensing electrodes TSE2 may sense a change in capacitancefrom a touch input of a an object, such as a portion of the body of theuser, a stylus pen, etc. In addition, the first sensing electrodes TSE1and the second sensing electrodes TSE2 may include a conductive materialto sense the change in capacitance.

The first sensing lines SL1 and the second sensing lines SL2 maytransmit the change in capacitance, which is sensed via the firstsensing electrodes TSE1 and the second sensing electrodes TSE2, to anexternal circuit through the pad unit PDA. In addition, the firstsensing lines SL1 and the second sensing lines SL2 may include the samematerial as the first sensing electrodes TSE1 and the second sensingelectrodes TSE2. The pad unit PDA may include a plurality of pads PD.The pads PD may be electrically connected to the first sensingelectrodes TSE1 and the second sensing electrodes TSE2 through the firstsensing lines SL1 and the second sensing lines SL2.

The cover layer 230 may be provided on the electrode layer 220 toprotect the exposed surface of the touch sensor 200, e.g., the electrodelayer 220. The cover layer 230 may include at least one of an organicinsulating material and an inorganic insulating material. For example,the cover layer 230 may include at least one of silicon oxide andsilicon nitride.

Although a case where the cover layer 230 is provided on the electrodelayer 220 is described and illustrated as an example, embodiments arenot limited thereto. For example, the cover layer 230 may be replacedwith (or supplemented by) a transparent window disposed on the electrodelayer 220. The window may be a high-strength transparent plasticsubstrate or a high-strength transparent glass substrate.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of region EA2 of FIG. 5 according to someexemplary embodiments. FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating first sensingelectrodes of a first sensing electrode column and first sensing linesshown in FIG. 5 according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 8 is aplan view illustrating second sensing electrodes of a second sensingelectrode column and second sensing lines shown in FIG. 5 according tosome exemplary embodiments. FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating aconnection relationship of first sensing electrodes, second sensingelectrodes, first sensing lines, second sensing lines, and a sensingline connection part according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 10 isa sectional view illustrating a connection relationship of the sensinglines and the sensing line connection part of FIG. 9 according to someexemplary embodiments. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of region EA3 of FIG.6 according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 11, the electrode layer 220 may include aplurality of first sensing electrode columns TSC1 that extend in onedirection and are parallel to one another, and a plurality of secondsensing electrode columns TSC2 that extend in parallel to the firstsensing electrode columns TSC1 and are alternately disposed with thefirst sensing electrode columns TSC1.

The first sensing electrode columns TSC1 may include a plurality offirst sensing electrodes TSE1. For example, one first sensing electrodecolumn TSC1 may include m (m is a natural number of 2 or more) firstsensing electrodes TSE1. The first sensing electrodes TSE1 may bearranged in the direction in which the first sensing electrode columnsTSC1 extend.

Each of the first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include a plural number ofsub-electrodes, e.g., N sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4disposed to be spaced apart from each other, where N is an integergreater than or equal to 2. In some embodiments, each of the firstsensing electrodes TSE1 may include four sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2,SUE3, and SUE4. That is, each of the first sensing electrodes TSE1 mayinclude a first sub-electrode SUE1, a second sub-electrode SUE2, a thirdsub-electrode SUE3, and a fourth sub-electrode SUE4. Here, thesub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 may be sequentially arrangedin the extending direction of the first sensing electrode columns TSC1.That is, among the sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4, the firstsub-electrode SUE1 may be disposed most distant from the pad unit PDA,and the fourth sub-electrode SUE4 may be disposed closest to the padunit PDA.

The sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 may be connected to firstsensing lines SL1. The first sensing lines SL1 may be disposed in aregion in which the first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and the secondsensing electrode columns TSC2 are disposed. In addition, thesub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 of one of adjacent firstsensing electrodes TSE1 may be electrically connected to thesub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 of the other of the adjacentfirst sensing electrodes TSE1 through the first sensing lines SL1,respectively.

For example, if each of the first sensing electrodes TSE1 includes Nsub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4, a J-th sub-electrode of onefirst sensing electrode TSE1 may be electrically connected an (N-J+1)-thsub-electrode of an adjacent first sensing electrode TSE1 through afirst sensing line SL1, where J is a positive integer less than or equalto N. Therefore, if the number of sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, andSUE4 included in the first sensing electrode TSE1 is N, the number offirst sensing lines SL1 corresponding to one first sensing electrodecolumn TSC1 may be N.

For instance, if each of the first sensing electrodes TSE1 includes foursub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4, a first sub-electrode SUE1 ofone first sensing electrode TSE1 and a fourth sub-electrode SUE4 of anadjacent first sensing electrode TSE1 may be electrically connected toeach other through a first, first sensing line SL11. A secondsub-electrode SUE2 of the one first sensing electrode TSE1 and a thirdsub-electrode SUE3 of the adjacent first sensing electrode TSE1 may beelectrically connected to each other through a second, first sensingline SL12. A third sub-electrode SUE3 of the one first sensing electrodeTSE1 and a second sub-electrode SUE2 of the adjacent first sensingelectrode TSE1 may be electrically connected to each other through athird, first sensing line SL13. A fourth sub-electrode SUE4 of the onefirst sensing electrode TSE1 and a first sub-electrode SUE1 of theadjacent first sensing electrode TSE1 may be electrically connected toeach other through a fourth, first sensing line SL14. Therefore, thenumber of first sensing lines SL1 corresponding to each of the firstsensing electrode columns TSC1 may be four.

If the number of first sensing electrodes TSE1 in one first sensingelectrode column TSC1 is M, the number of sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2,SUE3, and SUE4 in one first sensing electrode TSE1 is N, and thesub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 and the first sensing linesSL1 correspond to each other one-by-one, the number of first sensinglines SL1 corresponding to the one first sensing electrode column TSC1may be M×N, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. If thenumber of first sensing electrode columns TSC1 is P, the electrode layer220 may include P×M×N first sensing lines SL1, where P is an integergreater than or equal to 2. Therefore, in regions between the firstsensing electrodes TSC1 and the second sensing electrodes TSC2, thenumber of first sensing lines SL1 may increase as the first sensinglines SL1 become closer to the pad unit PDA. In the regions between thefirst sensing electrodes TSC1 and the second sensing electrodes TSC2,electromagnetic interference, e.g., noise caused by signals applied tothe first sensing lines SL1 may increase as the number of first sensinglines SL1 increases. If the noise increases, the mutual capacitancebetween the first sensing electrode TSE1 and the second sensingelectrode TSE2 may decrease. Therefore, the touch sensitivity of theelectrode layer 220 may decrease as a distance to the pad unit PDAdecreases in the electrode layer 220. Also, in the electrode layer 220,the touch sensitivity of a region distant from the pad unit PDA and thetouch sensitivity of a region close to the pad unit PDA may be differentfrom each other.

However, in some embodiments, sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4of adjacent first sensing electrodes TSE1 may be electrically connectedthrough the same first sensing lines SL1. That is, the sub-electrodesSUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 of the adjacent first sensing electrodes TSE1may share the first sensing lines SL1. Since the number of first sensinglines SL1 corresponding to the first sensing electrode column TSC1 isequal to that of sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 included ineach first sensing electrode TSE1, the number of first sensing lines SL1corresponding to the first sensing electrode column TSC1 may be lessthan that of sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 included in thefirst sensing electrode column TSC1. Thus, the number of first sensinglines SL1 disposed in the regions between the first sensing electrodecolumns TSC1 and the second sensing electrode columns TSC2 can decrease,and the area in which the first sensing lines SL1 are occupied in theregions between the first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and the secondsensing electrode columns TSC2 can decrease.

In some embodiments, the number of first sensing lines SL1 disposed inthe regions between the first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and thesecond sensing electrode columns TSC2 decreases, and, as such,electromagnetic interference between the second sensing electrodes TSE2and the first sensing electrodes TSE1 and first sensing lines SL1 candecrease. Thus, the touch sensitivity of the electrode layer 220 can beimproved.

In some embodiments, the number of first sensing lines SL1 disposed inthe regions between the first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and thesecond sensing electrode columns TSC2 decreases, and, as such, the areain which the first sensing lines SL1 are occupied in the regions betweenthe first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and the second sensingelectrode columns TSC2 can decrease. Given that the area in which thefirst sensing lines SL1 are occupied in the regions between the firstsensing electrode columns TSC1 and the second sensing electrode columnsTSC2 decreases, the area of the first sensing electrodes TSE1 or thesecond sensing electrodes TSE2 can increase. By increasing the area ofthe first sensing electrodes TSE1 or the second sensing electrodes TSE2,the touch sensitivity of the electrode layer 220 can be improved.

The second sensing electrode columns TSC2 may include a plurality ofsecond sensing electrodes TSE2. For example, one second sensingelectrode column TSC2 may include q second sensing electrodes TES2,where q is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The second sensingelectrodes TSE2 may be arranged in the direction in which the secondsensing electrode columns TSC2 extend.

The second sensing electrodes TES2 may be connected to second sensinglines SL2, respectively. Therefore, the number of second sensing linesSL2 corresponding to one second sensing electrode column TSC2 may beequal to that of the second sensing electrodes TSE2. That is, the numberof second sensing lines SL2 corresponding to the one second sensingelectrode column TSC2 may be q. The second sensing lines SL2 may bedisposed in the regions between the second sensing electrode columnsTSC2 and the first sensing electrode columns TSC1.

The second sensing lines SL2 may be alternately disposed at left andright sides of the second sensing electrode columns TSC2. For example,the second sensing line SL2 connected to one of adjacent second sensingelectrodes TSE2 may be disposed at the right side of the second sensingelectrode column TSC2. In addition, the second sensing line SL2connected to the other of the adjacent second sensing electrodes TSE2may be disposed at the left side of the second sensing electrode columnTSC2. Therefore, the numbers of second sensing lines SL2 disposed in theregions between the first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and the secondsensing electrode columns TSC2 may be equal to one another.

In some embodiments, the first sensing lines SL1 connected to thesub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 disposed at the same positionsin the first sensing electrode columns TSC1 may be electricallyconnected to each other through a first sensing line connection partCNL1. For example, the J-th first sensing lines SL1 connected to theJ-th sub-electrodes of the first sensing electrodes TSE1 in one firstsensing electrode column TSC1 may be electrically connected to the J-thfirst sensing lines SL1 connected to the J-th sub-electrodes of thefirst sensing electrodes TSE1 in another first sensing electrode columnTSC1. Here, the other first sensing electrode column TSC1 may be a firstsensing electrode column TSC1 that is not adjacent to the one firstsensing electrode column TSC1, but is spaced apart from the one firstsensing electrode column TSC1 the among the first sensing electrodecolumns TSC1.

For example, the electrode layer 220 may include the first sensing lineconnection part CNL1 provided on the first insulating layer 210 shown inFIG. 10, a second insulating layer 225 provided over the first sensingline connection part CNL1, and the first sensing electrodes TSE1, thesecond sensing electrodes TSE2, the first sensing lines SL1, and thesecond sensing lines SL2, which are provided on the second insulatinglayer 225.

The second insulating layer 225 may include at least one of an organicinsulating material and an inorganic insulating material. The secondinsulating layer 225 may include a first contact hole CNT1 that exposesthe first sensing line connection part CNL1 therethrough. The firstsensing line connection part CNL1 and the first sensing lines SL1 may beelectrically connected to each other through the first contact holeCNT1.

The first sensing lines SL1 connected to the first sensing lineconnection part CNL1 may be electrically connected to the same pad PDamong the pads PD of the pad unit PDA. Thus, given that the firstsensing lines SL1 are electrically connected to each other through thefirst sensing line connection part CNL1, the total number of pads PDelectrically connected to the first sensing electrodes TSE1 maydecrease.

In addition, since the J-th first sensing lines SL1 of the first sensingelectrode columns TSC1 are electrically connected to each other, theJ-th sub-electrodes connected to the J-th first sensing lines SL1 may beapplied with the same signal, e.g., a touch driving signal, through thesame pad PD. In addition or alternatively, the J-th sub-electrodesconnected to the J-th first sensing lines SL1 may output the samesignal, e.g., a touch sensing signal, through the same pad PD.

Although a case where the first sensing line connection parts CNL1 areprovided in a lower layer of the first sensing electrodes TSE1, thesecond sensing electrodes TSE2, the first sensing lines SL1, and thesecond sensing lines SL2 is described and illustrated as an example,embodiments are not limited thereto. The first sensing line connectionpart CNL1 may be provided in an upper layer of the first sensingelectrodes TSE1, the second sensing electrodes TSE2, the first sensinglines SL1, and the second sensing lines SL2.

The second sensing lines SL2 connected to second sensing electrodes TSE2disposed at the same positions in the second sensing electrode columnsTSC2 may be electrically connected to each other. For example, an i-thsecond sensing line SL2 connected to an i-th second sensing electrodeTSE2 in each of four adjacent second sensing electrode columns TSC2 maybe connected to a second sensing line connection part CNL2 through asecond contact hole CNT2, where i is a positive integer less than orequal to q. Like the first sensing line connection part CNL1, the secondsensing line connection part CNL2 may be provided on the firstinsulating layer 210. In addition, the connection structure of thesecond sensing lines SL2 and the second sensing line connection partsCNL2 may be identical to that of the first sensing lines SL1 and thefirst sensing line connection parts CNL1.

Since the i-th second sensing lines SL2 of the second sensing electrodecolumns TSC2 are electrically connected to each other, four secondsensing electrodes TSE2 connected to the i-th second sensing lines SL2in four adjacent second sensing electrode columns TSC2 may beelectrically connected to each other.

According to some embodiments, the second sensing lines SL2 connected tosecond sensing electrodes TSE2 disposed at the same positions in thesecond sensing electrode columns TSC2 may be electrically connected tothe same pad PD among the pads PD of the pad unit PDA. Since the i-thsecond sensing lines SL2 are electrically connected to each other, thei-th second sensing electrodes TSE2 connected to the i-th second sensinglines SL2 may be applied with the same signal, e.g., a touch drivingsignal, through the same pad PD. In addition or alternatively, the i-thsecond sensing electrodes TSE2 connected to the i-th second sensinglines SL2 may output the same signal, e.g., a touch sensing signal,through the same pad PD.

Since the second sensing lines SL2 connected to second sensingelectrodes TSE2 disposed at the same positions in the second sensingelectrode columns TSC2 are electrically connected to each other, thenumber of pads PD electrically connected to the second sensingelectrodes TSE2 may decrease.

Although a case where the second sensing electrodes TSE2 disposed at thesame positions in four adjacent second sensing electrode columns TSC2are connected to one pad PD is described and illustrated as an example,embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the second sensingelectrodes TSE2 disposed at the same positions in two or three adjacentsecond sensing electrode columns TSC2 may be connected to one pad PD.

According to some embodiments, the sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, andSUE4 and the second sensing electrodes TSE2, as shown in FIG. 11, mayinclude a plurality of conductive fine lines CFL. For example, thesub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 and the second sensingelectrodes TSE2 may include a plurality of first conductive fine linesCFL1 that extend in one direction and are parallel to one another, and aplurality of second conductive fine lines CFL2 that extend in adirection intersecting the first conductive fine lines CFL1 and areparallel to one another. That is, the second sensing electrodes TSE2 andthe sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 may have a mesh structure.

The mesh structure may include a plurality of openings, e.g., regionsformed as the first conductive fine lines CFL1 and the second conductivefine lines CFL2 intersect each other. The openings can decrease the areain which the sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 and the secondsensing electrodes TSE2 overlap with the display panel 100. By reducingthe area in which the sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 and thesecond sensing electrodes TSE2 overlap with the display panel 100, it ispossible to prevent (or at least reduce) electromagnetic interferencebetween the sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 and second sensingelectrodes TSE2 and the display panel 100. Thus, the touch sensitivityof the electrode layer 220 can be improved. In addition, by reducing thearea in which the sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 and thesecond sensing electrodes TSE2 overlap with the display panel 100, thenumber of obstacles on (or in) a path along which light emitted from thedisplay panel 100 is transferred to a viewer can be reduced. Thus, thedisplay quality of the display device including the touch sensor 200 andthe display panel 100 can be improved.

The first conductive fine lines CFL1 and the second conductive finelines CFL2 may include at least one of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu),chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and any alloythereof. Also, the first conductive fine lines CFL1 and the secondconductive fine lines CFL2 may include a transparent conductive oxide.

Although a case where the first sensing electrodes TSE1 and the secondsensing electrodes TSE2 are provided on the second insulating layer 225is described and illustrated as an example, embodiments are not limitedthereto. For example, the first conductive fine lines CFL1 and thesecond conductive fine lines CFL2, which are included in the firstsensing electrodes TSE1 and the second sensing electrodes TSE2, mayinclude a first conductive layer provided on the first insulating layer210 and a second conductive layer provided on the second insulatinglayer 225, and the first conductive layer and the second conductivelayer may be electrically connected to each other through a contacthole.

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a first sensing electrode and asecond sensing electrode that are provided at a rounded corner of thetouch sensor shown in FIG. 5 according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of region EA4 of FIG. 12 according to someexemplary embodiments. FIGS. 14 and 15 are plan views illustratingexamples of a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrodethat are provided at a rounded corner of a touch sensor according tovarious exemplary embodiments. The plan views of FIGS. 14 and 15illustrate similar regions as region EA4, but with respect to modifiedtouch sensors. As such, primarily differences will be described below toavoid obscuring exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 15, the touch sensor 200 (see FIGS. 1 to 11)may have a closed polygonal shape including linear sides, and at leastsome corners of the polygonal shape may be formed in a curve. That is,the touch sensor 200 may have rounded corners. For example, when thetouch sensor 200 has a rectangular shape, a portion at which adjacentlinear sides meet each other may be replaced with a curve having adetermined curvature. That is, the corner of the rectangular shape maybe formed with a curved side having both adjacent ends respectivelyconnected to two adjacent linear sides, the curved side having adetermined curvature.

The touch sensor 200 may include a sensing region SA and a non-sensingregion NSA provided at the periphery of the sensing region SA. Thesensing region SA may have a shape corresponding to that of the touchsensor 200. For example, the sensing region SA may have a rectangularshape, and a corner of the rectangular shape may be formed with a curvedside having both adjacent ends respectively connected to two adjacentlinear sides, the curved side having a determined curvature.

A plurality of first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and a plurality ofsecond sensing electrode columns TSC2 alternately disposed with thefirst sensing electrode columns TSC1 may be provided in the sensingregion SA.

The first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and the second sensingelectrode columns TSC2 may include a plurality of first sensingelectrodes TSE1 and a plurality of second sensing electrodes TSE2 orTSE2_1. For example, one first sensing electrode column TSC1 and onesecond sensing electrode column TSC2 may include M first sensingelectrodes TSE1 and M second sensing electrodes TSE2 or TSE2_1, M is aninteger greater than or equal to 2. The first sensing electrodes TSE1and the second sensing electrodes TSE2 or TSE_2 may be arranged in thedirection in which the first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and thesecond sensing electrode columns TSC2 extend.

Each of the first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include a plural number ofsub-electrodes, e.g., N (N is a natural number of 2 or more)sub-electrodes SUE1 (or SUE1_1), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 disposed to bespaced apart from each other. For example, each of the first sensingelectrodes TSE1 may include first to fourth sub-electrodes SUE1 (orSUE1_1), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4. The first to fourth sub-electrodes SUE1(or SUE1_1), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 may be sequentially arranged in theextending direction of the first sensing electrode columns TSC1.

The sub-electrodes SUE1 (or SUE1_1), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 may beconnected to first sensing lines SL1. In addition, the sub-electrodesSUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 of one of adjacent first sensing electrodesTSE1 may be electrically connected to the sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2,SUE3, and SUE4 of the other of the adjacent first sensing electrodesTSE1 through the first sensing lines SL1, respectively.

The second sensing electrodes TSE2 (or TSE2_1) may be connected tosecond sensing lines SL2.

Since the sensing region SA has a rounded corner, edges of the firstsub-electrode SUE1 (or SUE1_1) and the second sensing electrode TSE2 (orTSE2_1), which correspond to the rounded corner, may have a roundedshape. That is, the first sub-electrode SUE1 (or SUE1_1) and the secondsensing electrode TSE2 (or TSE2_1) may have a shape in which a portionof a quadrangular shape, e.g., a region at the outside of a curved side,is removed. Therefore, the area of the first sub-electrode SUE1 (orSUE1_1) may be smaller than those of the other sub-electrodes, e.g., thesecond to fourth sub-electrodes SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4. In addition, thesum of the areas of the first to fourth sub-electrodes SUE1 (or SUE1_1),SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 of the first sensing electrode TSE1 may bedifferent from the area of the second sensing electrode TSE2 or TSE2_1.

As shown in FIG. 13, the first sub-electrode SUE1 and the second sensingelectrode TSE2 have a shape having a portion removed therefrom, and, assuch, the capacitance of a capacitor formed between the firstsub-electrode SUE1 and the second sensing electrode TSE2 may decrease.This is because the areas of the first sub-electrode SUE1 and the secondsensing electrode TSE2 are smaller. In some embodiments, a decrease inarea of the second sensing electrode TSE2 is larger than that in area ofthe first sub-electrode SUE1, and, therefore, the capacitance of thecapacitor formed between the first sub-electrode SUE1 and the secondsensing electrode TSE2 may decrease in proportion to the decrease inarea of the second sensing electrode TSE2. As the capacitance decreases,the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor 200 may be deteriorated.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the second sensing electrodeTSE2_1 has a shape protruding to the first sub-electrode SUE1_1 suchthat the area of the first sub-electrode SUE1_1 may decrease, but thearea of the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 may increase. Therefore, thesum of the areas of the first to fourth sub-electrodes SUE1_1, SUE2,SUE3, and SUE4 of the first sensing electrode TSE1 may be substantiallythe same as or similar to the area of the second sensing electrodeTSE2_1.

At least because the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 has a shapeprotruding towards the first sub-electrode SUE1_1, the area in which thefirst sub-electrode SUE1_1 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 canform a capacitor may increase. As the area in which the firstsub-electrode SUE1_1 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 form thecapacitor increases, the capacitance of the capacitor may increase. Asthe capacitance increases, the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor 200can be improved.

Hereinafter, the first sub-electrode SUE1_1 and the second sensingelectrode TSE2_1, which are provided at the rounded corner of the touchsensor shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 will be described in more detail.

The edges of the first sub-electrode SUE1_1 and the second sensingelectrode TSE2_1, which are provided at the rounded corner of thesensing region SA in the touch sensor 200, may have a rounded shape,corresponding to the rounded corner of the sensing region SA.

In addition, the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 may include aprotrusion part PTA protruding in a direction perpendicular or inclinedwith respect to the direction in which the second sensing electrodecolumns TSC2 extend. The protrusion part PTA may protrude toward thefirst sub-electrode SUE1_1 of the first sensing electrode TSE1. Here, bythe protrusion part PTA, the boundary between the first sub-electrodeSUE1_1 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 may be inclined in thedirection in which the first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and thesecond sensing electrode columns TSC2 extend. In addition, theprotrusion part PTA may extend to the inside of the first sensingelectrode column TSC1. For instance, the protrusion part PTA may extendinto a notched, concave, or otherwise patterned portion of the firstsub-electrode SUE1_1.

If the protruding part PTA extends to the inside of the first sensingelectrode column TSC1, the area of the second sensing electrode TSE2_1provided at the rounded corner of the sensing region SA may increase dueto the protrusion part PTA. However, the area of the first sub-electrodeSUE1_1 may decrease due to the protrusion part PTA. For example, thearea of the first sub-electrode SUE1_1 may decrease in proportion to thearea of the protrusion part PTA protruding toward the first sensingelectrode TSE1. Therefore, the sum of the areas of the first to fourthsub-electrodes SUE1_1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 of the first sensingelectrode TSE1 may be equal or similar to the area of the second sensingelectrode TSE2_1.

In addition, although the area of the first sub-electrode SUE1_1decreases, the area of the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 increases,and, as such, the area in which the first sub-electrode SUE1_1 and thesecond sensing electrode TSE2_1 form a capacitor may increase.Therefore, the capacitance of the capacitor formed between the firstsub-electrode SUE1_1 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 mayincrease.

At least one of the first sensing lines SL1 connected to thesub-electrodes SUE1_1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 and the second sensing linesSL2 connected to the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 may be providedbetween the protrusion part PTA of the second sensing electrode TSE2_1and the first sub-electrode SUE1_1. In addition, a dummy pattern DMP maybe provided between the protrusion part PTA of the second sensingelectrode TSE2_1 and the first sub-electrode SUE1_1. The dummy patternDMP may prevent (or at least reduce) a region between the firstsub-electrode SUE1_1 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 from beingviewed by a user.

At the rounded corner, the touch sensor 200 shown in FIG. 14 may notinclude the first sensing lines SL1, the second sensing lines SL2, andthe dummy pattern DMP between the protrusion part PTA of the secondsensing electrode TSE2_1 and the first sub-electrode SUE1_1. Therefore,at the rounded corner, the touch sensor 200 shown in FIG. 14 mayincrease the area of the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 and the area ofthe first sub-electrode SUE1_1, and decrease the distance between theprotrusion part PTA of the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 and the firstsub-electrode SUE1_1.

As the area of the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 and the area of thefirst sub-electrode SUE1_1 increase, and the distance between theprotrusion part PTA of the second sensing electrode TSE2_1 and the firstsub-electrode SUE1_1 decreases, the touch sensitivity of the touchsensor 200 can be improved. That is, at the rounded corner, the touchsensitivity of the touch sensor 200 shown in FIG. 14 can be better thanthe touch sensitivity of the touch sensor 200 shown in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 16, 17, 18, and 19 are plan views illustrating examples of a firstsensing electrode and a second sensing electrode that are provided at arounded corner of a touch sensor according to various exemplaryembodiments. The plan views of FIGS. 16 to 19 illustrate similar regionsas region EA4, but with respect to modified touch sensors. As such,primarily differences will be described below to avoid obscuringexemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 16 to 19, the sensing region SA of the touch sensor200 (see FIGS. 1 to 11) may have a rounded corner.

A plurality of first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and a plurality ofsecond sensing electrode columns TSC2 alternately disposed with thefirst sensing electrode columns TSC1 may be provided in the sensingregion SA. The first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and the secondsensing electrode columns TSC2 may include a plurality of first sensingelectrodes TSE1 and a plurality of second sensing electrodes TSE2_2 orTSE2_3.

Each of the first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include first to fourthsub-electrodes SUE1_2 (or SUE1_3), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 that aresequentially disposed to be spaced apart from each other. Thesub-electrodes SUE1_2 (or SUE1_3), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 may be connectedto first sensing lines SL1_1 or SL1_2. In addition, the sub-electrodesSUE1_2 (or SUE1_3), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 of one of adjacent firstsensing electrodes TSE1 may be electrically connected to thesub-electrodes SUE1_2 (or SUE1_3), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 of the other ofthe adjacent first sensing electrodes TSE1 through the first sensinglines SL1_1 or SL1_2, respectively.

The second sensing electrodes TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 may be connected tosecond sensing lines SL2_1 or SL2_2.

Edges of the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 or SUE1_3 and the second sensingelectrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3, which are provided at the rounded corner ofthe sensing region SA, may have a shape corresponding to that of therounded shape of the sensing region SA.

In addition, the second sensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 may include aprotrusion part PTA_1 or PTA_2 protruding in a direction perpendicularor inclined with respect to the direction in which the second sensingelectrode columns TSC2 extend. The protrusion part PTA_1 or PTA_2 mayprotrude toward the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 or SUE1_3 of the firstsensing electrode TSE1. Here, by the protrusion part PTA_1 or PTA_2, aportion of the boundary between the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 or SUE1_3and the second sensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 may be inclined in thedirection in which the first sensing electrode columns TSC1 and thesecond sensing electrode columns TSC2 extend. In addition, the boundarymay have at least one bending point. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, theboundary between the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 and the second sensingelectrode TSE2_2 may have one bending point. As shown in FIGS. 18 and19, the boundary between the first sub-electrode SUE1_3 and the secondsensing electrode TSE2_3 may have two bending points.

The length of the boundary between the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 orSUE1_3 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 may beincreased by the bending point. In addition, the capacitance of acapacitor formed between the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 or SUE1_3 andthe second sensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 may be in proportion tothe length of the boundary between the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 orSUE1_3 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3. Therefore, asthe length of the boundary between the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 orSUE1_3 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE_3 increases, thecapacitance may be increased. As the capacitance of the capacitor formedbetween the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 or SUE1_3 and the second sensingelectrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 increases, the touch sensitivity at therounded corner of the touch sensor 200 can be improved.

At least one of the first sensing lines SL1_1 or SL1_2 connected to thesub-electrodes SUE1_2 (or SUE1_3), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 and the secondsensing lines SL2_1 or SL2_2 connected to the second sensing electrodeTSE2_2 or TSE2_3 may be provided between the protrusion part PTA_1 orPTA_2 of the second sensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 and the firstsub-electrode SUE1_2 or SUE1_3. In addition, a dummy pattern DMP_1 orDMP_2 may be provided between the protrusion part PTA_1 or PTA_2 of thesecond sensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 and the first sub-electrodeSUE1_2 or SUE1_3.

At the rounded corner, the touch sensor 200 shown in FIGS. 16 and 18 maynot include the first sensing lines SL1_1 or SL1_2, the second sensinglines SL2_1 or SL2_2, and the dummy pattern DMP_1 or DMP_2 between theprotrusion part PTA_1 or PTA_2 of the second sensing electrode TES2_2 orTSE_3 and the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 or SUE_3. As such, at therounded corner, the touch sensor 200 shown in FIGS. 16 and 18 mayincrease the area of the second sensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 andthe area of the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 or SUE1_3, and decrease thedistance between the protrusion part PTA_1 or PTA_2 of the secondsensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 and the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 orSUE1_3.

As the area of the second sensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 and thearea of the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 or SUE1_3 increase, and thedistance between the protrusion part PTA_1 or PTA_2 of the secondsensing electrode TSE2_2 or TSE2_3 and the first sub-electrode SUE1_2 orSUE1_3 decreases, the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor 200 can beimproved. That is, at the rounded corner, the touch sensitivity of thetouch sensor 200 shown in FIGS. 16 and 18 can be better than as comparedwith the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor 200 shown in FIGS. 17 and19.

FIGS. 20, 21, 22, and 23 are plan views illustrating a first sensingelectrode and a second sensing electrode that are provided at a roundedcorner of a touch sensor according to various exemplary embodiments. Theplan views of FIGS. 20 to 23 illustrate similar regions as region EA4,but with respect to modified touch sensors. As such, primarilydifferences will be described below to avoid obscuring exemplaryembodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 20 to 23, the sensing region SA of the touch sensor200 (see FIGS. 1 to 11) may have a rounded corner. A plurality of firstsensing electrode columns TSC1 and a plurality of second sensingelectrode columns TSC2 alternately disposed with the first sensingelectrode columns TSC1 may be provided in the sensing region SA. Thefirst sensing electrode columns TSC1 and the second sensing electrodecolumns TSC2 may include a plurality of first sensing electrodes TSE1and a plurality of second sensing electrodes TSE2.

Each of the first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include first to fourthsub-electrodes SUE1_4 (or SUE1_5), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 that aresequentially disposed to be spaced apart from each other. Thesub-electrodes SUE1_4 (or SUE1_5), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 may be connectedto first sensing lines SL1_3 or SL1_4. In addition, the sub-electrodesSUE1_4 (or SUE1_5), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 of one of adjacent firstsensing electrodes TSE1 may be electrically connected to thesub-electrodes SUE1_4 (or SUE1_5), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 of the other ofthe adjacent first sensing electrodes TSE1 through the first sensinglines SL1_3 or SL1_4, respectively.

The second sensing electrodes TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 may be connected tosecond sensing lines SL2_3 or SL2_4.

Edges of the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5 and the second sensingelectrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5, which are provided at the rounded corner ofthe sensing region SA, may have a shape corresponding to that of therounded shape of the sensing region SA. That is, the edges of the firstsub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_4or TSE2_5, which correspond to the rounded corner of the sensing regionSA, may have a rounded shape. In addition, the second sensing electrodeTSE2_4 or TSE2_5 may include a protrusion part PTA_3 or PTA_4 protrudingin a direction perpendicular or inclined with respect to the directionin which the second sensing electrode columns TSC2 extend. Theprotrusion part PTA_3 or PTA_4 may protrude toward the firstsub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE_5 of the first sensing electrode TSE1. Theprotrusion part PTA_3 or PTA_4 may be more adjacent to the roundedcorner than the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5 having the roundededge.

At least a portion of the boundary between the first sub-electrodeSUE1_4 or SUE1_5 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 mayhave a curved shape. For example, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, theboundary between the protrusion part PTA_3 of the second sensingelectrode TSE2_4 and the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 may have a curvedshape. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the boundary betweenthe protrusion part PTA_4 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_5 mayhave a shape including curves at both ends thereof and a connection line(or portion) that connects the curves between the curves at both theends thereof. The connection line may be formed in the shape of a bentline having at least one bending point.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the boundary between thefirst sub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5 and the second sensing electrodeTSE2_4 or TSE2_5 has a curved shape, and, as such, the length of theboundary between the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5 and the secondsensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 may increase. As the length of theboundary between the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5 and the secondsensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 increases, the capacitance of acapacitor formed between the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5 andthe second sensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 may increase. As thecapacitance of the capacitor formed between the first sub-electrodeSUE1_4 or SUE1_5 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5increases, the touch sensitivity in a region adjacent to the roundedcorner of the touch sensor 200 can be improved.

At least one of the first sensing lines SL1_3 or SL1_4 connected to thesub-electrodes SUE1_4 (or SUE1_5), SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 and the secondsensing lines SL2_3 or SL2_4 connected to the second sensing electrodeTSE2_4 or TSE2_5 may be provided between the protrusion part PTA_3 orPTA_4 of the second sensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 and the firstsub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5. In addition, a dummy pattern DMP_3 orDMP_4 may be provided between the protrusion part PTA_3 or PTA_4 of thesecond sensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 and the first sub-electrodeSUE1_4 or SUE1_5.

At the rounded corner, the touch sensor 200 shown in FIGS. 20 and 22 maynot include the first sensing lines SL1_3 or SL1_4, the second sensinglines SL2_3 or SL2_4, and the dummy pattern DMP_3 or DMP_4 between theprotrusion part PTA_3 or PTA_4 of the second sensing electrode TES2_4 orTES2_5 and the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5. Therefore, at therounded corner, the touch sensor 200 shown in FIGS. 20 and 22 mayincrease the area of the second sensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 andthe area of the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5, and decrease thedistance between the protrusion part PTA_3 or PTA_4 of the secondsensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 and the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 orSUE1_5.

As the area of the second sensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 and thearea of the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 or SUE1_5 increases, and thedistance between the protrusion part PTA_3 or PTA_4 of the secondsensing electrode TSE2_4 or TSE2_5 and the first sub-electrode SUE1_4 orSUE1_5 decreases, the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor 200 can beimproved. That is, at the rounded corner, the touch sensitivity of thetouch sensor 200 shown in FIGS. 20 and 22 can be better than as comparedwith the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor 200 shown in FIGS. 21 and23.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are plan views illustrating a first sensing electrodeand a second sensing electrode that are provided at a rounded corner ofa touch sensor according to some exemplary embodiments. The touch sensorof FIGS. 24 and 25 is similar to the touch sensor 200 of FIGS. 1 to 11.As such, primarily differences will be described below to avoidobscuring exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the sensing region SA of the touch sensor200 (see FIGS. 1 to 11) may have a rounded corner. A plurality of firstsensing electrode columns TSC1 and a plurality of second sensingelectrode columns TSC2 alternately disposed with the first sensingelectrode columns TSC1 may be provided in the sensing region SA. Thefirst sensing electrode columns TSC1 and the second sensing electrodecolumns TSC2 may include a plurality of first sensing electrodes TSE1and a plurality of second sensing electrodes TSE2_6.

Some of the first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include first to fourthsub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 that are sequentially disposedto be spaced apart from each other. The first sub-electrode SUE1 of thefirst sensing electrode TSE1 provided at (or near) the rounded cornerand a region of the second sensing electrode TSE2_6 corresponding to thefirst sensing electrode SUE1 at (or near) may be omitted. That is, thefirst sensing electrode TSE1 provided at the rounded corner may includeonly the second to fourth sub-electrodes SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4. In thismanner, a third sensing electrode TSE3 may be provided in the region inwhich the first sub-electrode SUE1 and the region of the second sensingelectrode TSE2_6 corresponding to the first sub-electrode SUE1 areomitted. That is, the third sensing electrode TSE3 may be provided atthe rounded corner. In addition, an edge corresponding to the roundedcorner of the third sensing electrode TSE3 may have a rounded shape.

The third sensing electrode TSE3 may be a self-capacitance type sensingelectrode. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the third sensing electrodeTSE3 may not form a capacitor with the first sensing electrode TSE1 andthe second sensing electrode TSE2_6.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 25, the third sensing electrodeTSE3 may form a capacitor with at least one of the first sensingelectrode TSE1 and the second sensing electrode TSE2_6. For example, thethird sensing electrode TSE3 may form a capacitor with the secondsensing electrode TSE2_6. Therefore, the third sensing electrode TSE3along with the second sensing electrode TSE2_6 may operate as a sensingelectrode of a mutual capacitance type touch sensor.

The sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4 may be connected to thefirst sensing lines SL1. In addition, the sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2,SUE3, and SUE4 of one of adjacent first sensing electrodes TSE1 may beelectrically connected to the sub-electrodes SUE1, SUE2, SUE3, and SUE4of the other of the adjacent first sensing electrodes TSE1 through thefirst sensing lines SL1, respectively. The second sensing electrodesTSE2_6 may be connected to second sensing lines SL2, and the thirdsensing electrodes TSE3 may be connected to third sensing lines SL3.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a touch sensor and a displaydevice can prevent (or reduce) the sensitivity at a rounded corner frombeing decreased. Thus, the touch sensor and display device can decreasea difference in touch sensitivity between regions.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have beendescribed herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparentfrom this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are notlimited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of thepresented claims and various obvious modifications and equivalentarrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch sensor comprising: a base comprising: a sensing region comprising a rounded corner; and a non-sensing region outside the sensing region; first sensing electrode columns extending in a first direction on the base, each first sensing electrode column among the first sensing electrode columns comprising first sensing electrodes, each first sensing electrode among the first sensing electrodes comprising sub-electrodes; and second sensing electrode columns alternately disposed with the first sensing electrode columns on the base, each second sensing electrode column among the second sensing electrode columns comprising second sensing electrodes, wherein sub-electrodes of one of adjacent first sensing electrodes among the first sensing electrodes are separated from one another and electrically connected to respective sub-electrodes of another of the adjacent first sensing electrodes, wherein a sub-electrode closest to the rounded corner among the sub-electrodes comprises a rounded edge corresponding to the rounded corner, and wherein a second sensing electrode closest to the rounded corner among the second sensing electrodes comprises: a rounded edge corresponding to the rounded corner; and a protrusion part protruding toward the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge.
 2. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the protrusion part extends into a patterned portion of an adjacent first sensing electrode column among the first sensing electrode columns.
 3. The touch sensor of claim 2, wherein an area of the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge is less than respective areas of other sub-electrodes among the sub-electrodes.
 4. The touch sensor of claim 3, wherein a boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge is inclined with respect to the first direction.
 5. The touch sensor of claim 4, wherein the boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge comprises a bending point.
 6. The touch sensor of claim 4, further comprising: first sensing lines connected to the first sensing electrodes; and second sensing lines connected to the second sensing electrodes, wherein each first sensing electrode among the first sensing electrodes comprises N sub-electrodes, N being a positive integer greater than one, and wherein a J-th sub-electrode in the one of the adjacent first sensing electrodes and an (N−J+1)-th sub electrode in the another of the adjacent first sensing electrodes are electrically connected to each other via a first sensing line among the first sensing lines, J being a positive integer less than or equal to N.
 7. The touch sensor of claim 6, wherein a first sensing line among the first sensing lines or a second sensing line among the second sensing lines is disposed in a space corresponding to the boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge.
 8. The touch sensor of claim 4, further comprising: a dummy pattern in a space corresponding to the boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge.
 9. The touch sensor of claim 3, wherein a portion of the boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge has a curved shape.
 10. The touch sensor of claim 9, wherein all of the boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge has a curved shape.
 11. The touch sensor of claim 9, wherein: another portion of the boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge has a curved shape, the portion of the boundary and the another portion of the boundary being disposed at respective distal ends of the boundary; and a connection portion of the boundary connects the portion of the boundary and the another portion of the boundary, the connection portion being shaped differently than the portion of the boundary and the another portion of the boundary.
 12. The touch sensor of claim 11, wherein the connection space of the boundary comprises a bending point.
 13. The touch sensor of claim 9, wherein the protrusion part is more adjacent to the rounded corner than the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge.
 14. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein a sum of areas of the sub-electrodes of a first sensing electrode among the first sensing electrodes is substantially the same as an area of a second sensing electrode among the second sensing electrodes.
 15. A touch sensor comprising: a base comprising: a sensing region comprising a rounded corner; and a non-sensing region outside the sensing region; first sensing electrode columns extending in a first direction on the base, each first sensing electrode column among the first sensing electrode columns comprising first sensing electrodes, each first sensing electrode among the first sensing electrodes comprising sub-electrodes; second sensing electrode columns alternately disposed with the first sensing electrode columns on the base, each second sensing electrode column among the second sensing electrode columns comprising second sensing electrodes; and a third sensing electrode closest to the rounded corner among the first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrodes, wherein sub-electrodes of one of adjacent first sensing electrodes among the first sensing electrodes are separated from one another and electrically connected to respective sub-electrodes of another of the adjacent first sensing electrodes.
 16. The touch sensor of claim 15, wherein the third sensing electrode comprises a rounded edge corresponding to the rounded corner.
 17. The touch sensor of claim 16, wherein: each first sensing electrode among some of the first sensing electrodes comprises first to N-th sub-electrodes sequentially disposed and spaced apart from each other in the first direction, N being a positive integer; and a first sensing electrode most adjacent to the third sensing electrode comprises less than N sub-electrodes.
 18. The touch sensor of claim 17, further comprising: a third sensing line connected to the third sensing electrode.
 19. The touch sensor of claim 15, wherein the third sensing electrode forms a capacitor with a second sensing electrode among the second sensing electrodes.
 20. A display device comprising: a display panel configured to display an image; and a touch sensor on the display panel, the touch sensor comprising: a sensing region comprising a rounded corner; and a non-sensing region outside the sensing region, wherein the touch sensor further comprises: first sensing electrode columns extending in a first direction, each first sensing electrode column among the first sensing electrode columns comprising first sensing electrodes, each first sensing electrode among the first sensing electrodes comprising sub-electrodes; and second sensing electrode columns alternately disposed with the first sensing electrode columns, each second sensing electrode column among the second sensing electrode columns comprising second sensing electrodes, wherein sub-electrodes of one of adjacent first sensing electrodes among the first sensing electrodes are separated from one another and electrically connected to respective sub-electrodes of another of the adjacent first sensing electrodes, wherein a sub-electrode closest to the rounded corner among the sub-electrodes comprises a rounded edge corresponding to the rounded corner, and wherein a second sensing electrode closest to the rounded corner among the second sensing electrodes comprises: a rounded edge corresponding to the rounded corner; and a protrusion part protruding toward the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge.
 21. The display device of claim 20, wherein the protrusion part extends into a patterned portion of an adjacent first sensing electrode column among the first sensing electrode columns.
 22. The display device of claim 21, wherein an area of the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge is less than respective areas of other sub-electrodes among the sub-electrodes.
 23. The display device of claim 22, wherein an area of the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge is less than respective areas of other sub-electrodes among the sub-electrodes.
 24. The display device of claim 23, wherein the boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge comprises a bending point.
 25. The display device of claim 23, further comprising: first sensing lines connected to the first sensing electrodes; and second sensing lines connected to the second sensing electrodes, wherein each first sensing electrode among the first sensing electrodes comprises N sub-electrodes, N being a positive integer greater than one, and wherein a J-th sub-electrode in the one of the adjacent first sensing electrodes and an (N−J+1)-th sub electrode in the another of the adjacent first sensing electrodes are electrically connected to each other via a first sensing line among the first sensing lines, J being a positive integer less than or equal to N.
 26. The display device of claim 22, wherein a portion of the boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge has a curved shape.
 27. The display device of claim 26, wherein all of the boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge has a curved shape.
 28. The display device of claim 26, wherein: another portion of the boundary between the protrusion part and the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge has a curved shape, the portion of the boundary and the another portion of the boundary being disposed at respective distal ends of the boundary; and a connection portion of the boundary connects the portion of the boundary and the another portion of the boundary, the connection portion being shaped differently than the portion of the boundary and the another portion of the boundary.
 29. The display device of claim 28, wherein the connection space of the boundary comprises a bending point.
 30. The display device of claim 26, wherein the protrusion part is more adjacent to the rounded corner than the sub-electrode comprising the rounded edge.
 31. The display device of claim 20, wherein a sum of areas of the sub-electrodes of a first sensing electrode among the first sensing electrodes is substantially the same as an area of a second sensing electrode among the second sensing electrodes.
 32. A display device comprising: a display panel configured to display an image; and a touch sensor on the display panel, the touch sensor comprising: a sensing region comprising a rounded corner; and a non-sensing region outside the sensing region, wherein the touch sensor further comprises: first sensing electrode columns extending in a first direction, each first sensing electrode column among the first sensing electrode columns comprising first sensing electrodes, each first sensing electrode among the first sensing electrodes comprising sub-electrodes; second sensing electrode columns alternately disposed with the first sensing electrode columns, each second sensing electrode column among the second sensing electrode columns comprising second sensing electrodes; and a third sensing electrode closest to the rounded corner among the first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrodes, and wherein sub-electrodes of one of adjacent first sensing electrodes among the first sensing electrodes are separated from one another and electrically connected to respective sub-electrodes of another of the adjacent first sensing electrodes.
 33. The display device of claim 32, wherein the third sensing electrode comprises a rounded edge corresponding to the rounded corner.
 34. The display device of claim 33, wherein: each first sensing electrode among some of the first sensing electrodes comprises first to N-th sub-electrodes sequentially disposed and spaced apart from each other in the first direction, N being a positive integer; and a first sensing electrode most adjacent to the third sensing electrode comprises less than N sub-electrodes.
 35. The display device of claim 32, wherein the third sensing electrode forms a capacitor with a second sensing electrode among the second sensing electrodes. 